Service Details
Funeral services celebrating Connie’s life will be held in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 10:30 am. Interment will follow in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be held in the funeral home on Saturday morning from 8:30 – 10:30 am.
Constance Marie Rivers, age 72, ended her earthly race and went home to be with her savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, April 21, 2023.
Connie was born February 11, 1951, to Richard and Sarah (Ekizian) Monkman in Racine, Wisconsin, and spent her first three years living in a variety of southern states while her dad pursued a professional baseball career.
After returning to Racine, Connie was a student at S.C. Johnson, Mitchell, and Horlick before graduating from Carthage College with a bachelor’s degree in history. After graduation, Connie spent five years living and working in Washington, D.C., before returning to Racine where she was united in marriage to her husband of 34 years, Thomas Rivers.
Connie was the loving and devoted mother of two children, Noah and Hannah, whom she spent 20 years of her life educating at home.
Her home was a beautiful place of refuge filled with art, music, books, delicious food, lovely things, and a never-ending environment of love and learning.
Her gifts and interests were so varied that it was difficult to keep up with her. She was an accomplished pianist and vocalist who possessed a beautiful ability to harmonize effortlessly, beginning as a six-year-old child singing duets in church with her mother.
She was a lifelong learner and devoted educator of her children, giving them an excellent education and instilling in them a lasting love of reading, learning and accomplishment. When her own children graduated, she continued to tutor students of a variety of ages.
In 2002, Connie conceived the idea of a sports organization for homeschooled students. With the help of a few dedicated parents, Lakeshore Christian Homeschool Athletics was born, providing boys and girls the opportunity to play basketball and volleyball at a competitive level. Her vision generated connections between dozens of families that last to this day.
Connie loved and needed to be surrounded by beauty. She took a house and transformed it into a welcoming, peaceful home. Her remarkable sense of style reflected in the many beautiful furnishings, artwork, china, and the way it flowed together, exuded her very essence: warmth and loveliness.
She was a wonderful cook, always preparing delicious meals for family and friends and making mealtimes an important part of a structured family life. Her creative flare was channeled into trying new recipes until the very end of her life.
Connie possessed a remarkable gift for hospitality. Her meals, gatherings, and especially her tea parties were legendary; whether indoor or out, the china, table cloths, candles, flowers, and all the trimmings were never absent.
Connie loved nature and gardening and was an avid bird watcher who spent hours chronicling the many songbirds that came to her backyard feeders. She even gave little names to the squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits and regularly participated in Audubon bird watching events.
Most importantly, Connie loved the Lord Jesus, and devoted her life to his service and the study of His word. Her quiet mornings were spent in prayer, playing and singing hymns, and Bible study with the help of her favorite resource, Adam Clarke’s commentary. She spent much time talking to and helping others through encouraging conversation and prayer.
Connie was an “ideas person” who daily investigated the latest economic trends, world events, public health questions, gardening techniques, animal husbandry, travel, genealogy, literature, movies, music, and so much more at a pace that was almost impossible to keep up with.
Connie lived an incredibly full and valuable life, making a marked difference in the lives of all she touched. In every conceivable way, she fulfilled her wedding vows, “For better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; until death do us part.” Hers was a life well-lived.
Connie was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Sarah Monkman, and her brother, Randall Lee Monkman. She will be sorely missed by her husband and children, as well as her many family and friends.
Funeral services celebrating Connie’s life will be held in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 10:30 am. Interment will follow in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be held in the funeral home on Saturday morning from 8:30 – 10:30 am.
Ruth Navis says
My prayers to all of you for strength and comfort in this most difficult time 🙏🙏
Mona Marino says
Connie has left this Earth, but she is back with the Lord, so I know she is happy.
May she Rest In Peace.
Adam Lewis says
It is difficult to articulate how much of an impact Mrs. Rivers had on my life (she will always be “Mrs. Rivers” to me). My middle school and high school years were tied up in Thunder basketball. This organization not only provided much-needed access to competitive sports for homeschooled students, but it also provided such a critical social outlet. I met lifelong friends through the organization and don’t know if I ever would have met my wife if we had not both been involved in LCHSA.
Outside of LCHSA, Mrs. Rivers was always so kind, frequently opening her beautifully decorated home to rag-tag groups of high schoolers for wonderful game/movie nights and delicious dinners. This continued even into the college years. She always treated us like we were her own children.
I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to know her. I am thankful for her devotion to Christ and how she contributed to the culture of LCHSA. I am thankful for her initiative to act on her idea to make competitive sports a reality for the Racine and Kenosha homeschool communities. I am also thankful for her personal care for the lives of the young men and women in LCHSA and even her input when I was selecting economics classes at her alma mater.
She was certainly loved and will be missed!
Dave and Bernie says
Tom, Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Pat(ti) Widmaier says
Tom and family,
I am very saddened to hear of Connie’s passing. Unfortunately I will be out of town this weekend, but will pray for comfort and continued strength.
Beth Franklin says
Whoever wrote this obituary did a beautiful job of capturing the Connie we all knew and loved. She will be sadly missed, but her influence will live on through so many. May God bring peace , healing and even joy to you, Tom, Noah and Hannah as you start finding your way through life without Connie. She was a blessing to me and I will greatly miss our tea time chats together where Connie bubbled over with new ideas to share.
I am grateful to know she is with her beloved Savior.
Linda Jacob says
Connie was a lady, in the truest sense of the word. She was a classic inspiration of a godly woman. I must confess I have been intimidated by her knowledge and gracefulness. But I was blessed by attending one of her fabulous outdoor teas. I am so sorry for your loss and your grief. Our only comfort is that we will all meet again one day. May God bless your family during this painful time.
Suzanne Duroux says
Constance. Steadfast. In her faith, in her commitment to Tom, her devotion to her children, her desire to be kind and do good in this world. The very definition of loveliness and grace. Such unapologetic curiosity and natural humility. Such intellect. Such emotional fearlessness and depth.
42 years of friendship, strengthened by mutual feelings of appreciation for our mothers and their qualities of being. Gone with her is a witness to memories of my parents and an age of innocence. Gone too is the model and inspiration she was to me to live my best intentions and aspirations.
I’ve cried a bucket since learning of her passing. I will always serve tea with a nod to Connie. My heart aches for those who knew her well and loved her.
Joan Gianou says
Connie was and still is an inspiration to me. It was such a privilege to know and call her a friend. Yes, I attended one of her famous Teas. It was at a time of great turmoil for me. Connie ministered to me in her quiet and peaceful way. Had I lived closer, I would have been a regular. I am thrilled that she is with the Lord and that I will see her again, but my human side wishes for one more cup of tea with her. May God grant you, Tom, Noah, and Hannah, a peace that passes all understanding. Connie will be missed.
Bill Wells says
I am very sorry for your loss Tommy. I never really new her that well but l am sure she was as nice and God loving as you are. Stella and will pray for you
Marion MacKenzie Christoph says
Genteel and old-fashioned. Principled and philosophic. These are a few starting adjectives to describe my friend, Connie. We met in 2002 when our daughters were 6 and our sons were 12. As a homeschooling family, we were introduced to the Charlotte Mason book group in which Connie was a member. Always curious, always bringing a new thought via the newspaper or a recently read book, Connie continually added so much. In summers, we gathered again (the Charlotte Ladies) to hold book discussions as the kids played backyard baseball, tennis, or just hung out nearby, always outside… à la Charlotte Mason method. My kids have all said that this time with friends was a highlight of their homeschool years.
In recent years, Connie sent emails with new blog ideas regarding farming done in a holistic way or verses on a bucolic life. It makes me smile to think of it. I shall certainly miss her laugh and her infamous teas. Grateful for the summer walk and lunch we took in 2021 with Kim F, I feel fortunate that we had that time together.
Good bye friend. You have entered into your joy though those of us left behind are weeping.
Constance- your name means steady and faithful and you lived up to it one hundred percent.
Ray and Sharon DeMuynck says
Dear Tom and family, we are so very sorry to hear of Connie’s passing. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Ray and Sharon DeMuynck
Darrell & Michelle Jaskulski says
Our deepest sympathies to Tom and family. Connie was a lovely woman and we’re grateful to have known her. Praying peace and comfort for all who will miss her.